In 1912 Stalin became a party leader. By 1913 he was using the name of Stalin, which is based on the Russian word for “steel.”

The Russian Revolution of 1917 brought down the Russian emperor. By 1921 the Bolsheviks, now known as the Communist Party, had all the power.

Lenin died in 1924. By then, the Communists had formed a new country called the Soviet Union. Party leaders fought for power, and Stalin came out on top.

Stalin wanted to make his country stronger and more modern. He built steel mills and factories. In 1928 he ordered small farms to be joined together. Farmers who resisted were shot or sent to punishment camps.

Starting in 1934, Stalin ordered his secret police to arrest and shoot many party members and army officers. He wanted to get rid of all possible threats to his power.

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